Paul,
Every time I go to a hot rod or experimental aircraft show, I am
invariably impressed with the clever thought and ingenuity.   I had that
feeling again when I came across this "battery replacement" proposal.
http://techcrunch.com/2011/06/14/rethinking-the-battery-clarian/
Grant Johnson


If it rotates like a Wankel, sounds like a Wankel and smells like a
Wankel it is a Wankel. I am surprised the patent office is so stupid
that they gave them a patent on it.

A Wankel by any other name is still a Wankel :-)

Of course it stores more energy per pound than batteries as liquid hydro
carbons
are almost unbeatable in that regard. The only thing that comes
close is rubber bands. These are pictures of the Rubber Bandit.
Never flown.

Paul Lamar

Paul,  As always interesting photos.  The interest for me is a local school
group who are getting another entry in  the  Moomba Birdman festival
(google Moomba birdman rally,  Melbourne)  Last year the entry made 4th or
some such.  The next entry they are aiming to have a pilot powered prop.

The max weight is 40 Kg, and since our first entry was just a wing, next
will have a bigger wing and a prop, and the final entry will be a bi plane
with a prop, or any variations in between/.  Yes we are dreamers too but
great experience for the students.  The complete rules are also on the web
page.  So I need a ultimately a biplane with a prop that is 8 meters wide
and 3 meters long max , prop assisted and weighs less than 40 KG or 100
pound.  Construction time is limited and cost to be better than zero, but
great fun except for the pilot.  Any construction ideas?  Come on this
newsletter goes around the world.

Neil Unger

A Canard with a long wingspan is the lowest drag configuration.
The other advantage is it as  relatively short fuselage.

The CG must be ahead of the centre of lift which is located
about the quarter cord point of the main wing. That causes a slight pitch
down moment which is counteracted by the lift from the canard.

Conventional air planes have horizontal tails generating down force
which negates some of the lift from the main wing. This is necessary to
counter act the pitch down moment from the main wings where the CG
is ahead of the center of lift.

A flying wing must be reflexed to prevent the a pitch down moment.
This adds to the surface area and the drag.

All these configurations are necessary for longitudinal stability
in pitch. In any event keep the wing span long. Carbon fibre
spars caps are essential.

Paul Lamar


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